Deshaun Watson Situation- Top Four Trade Destinations
Over the last few months, no player has made more noise in the league than QB Deshaun Watson and his fractured relationship with the Houston Texans. The former Clemson star has been the face of the franchise along with former Texan, JJ Watt, and has been nothing short of spectacular for a good portion of his young career in the NFL. While most organizations would only dream to have the talent of Watson at QB, the Texans have seemingly created an environment that is less than fitting for Watson, not to mention some question roster decisions including trading former teammate and star WR, DeAndre Hopkins.
Since the conclusion of the 2020 season, Watson has made his intentions known; to be traded. Even with the organization making wholesale management changes with the hiring of GM Nick Caserio and appointing long time assistant coach, David Culley, as the team’s next HC, Watson has not wavered on his feelings towards the team and his intentions of playing elsewhere in 2021.
Franchise players, let alone franchise QBs, rarely get traded in the NFL so seeing a 25 year old star like Deshaun Watson being traded is unprecedented and quite frankly unbelievable to witness as a fan. With a trade likely to happen over the next 6-12 months, there are obviously a ton of teams that would be great for Watson but I narrowed down four that seem to make the most sense.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
Last year Washington made one of the best coaching hires when they hired former Panthers HC Ron Rivera in hopes of bringing some stability to the team. Not only does Washington have one of the best defensive lines in the league led by second year star pass rusher Chase Young but they also have a budding star playmaker in WR Terry McLaurin. Adding Deshaun Watson to this team could make them favorites in the weak NFC East but also potential contenders in 2021.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Picture this……the New England Patriots trade their entire 2021 draft for Deshaun Watson. It just seems like a Belichick type of move. Now is it likely to happen, no, but we saw what the Patriots looked like after losing future hall of fame QB Tom Brady; the team went from the best team for the past 20 years to an average team. They brought in former MVP, Cam Newton, in hopes they could find that magic that we loved from Newton in Carolina but sadly that did not happen. Now the Patriots are sitting with the 15th overall pick in the draft and no clear answer at QB. Watson in Foxborough? Only time will tell.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Many believed that the Carolina Panthers had found themselves a Cam Newton replacement after they signed former Viking and Saint, Teddy Bridgewater, but after one year they seem to be searching once again for a QB. The Panthers were interested in Matthew Stafford before he was traded to Los Angeles and they have a top 10 pick so they could certainly consider a rookie like North Dakota State’s Trey Lance or possibly Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Enter Deshaun Watson. The thought of pairing Watson with OC Joe Brady is enticing and not only would he have good weapons with WRs DJ Moore, Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel but he would also get back one of the most dynamic offensive players in RB Christian McCaffrey. This would be a fun pairing to watch in the NFL and would give second HC Matt Rhule his franchise QB for the present and the future.
CHICAGO BEARS
Let’s get this out of the way……the Chicago Bears drafted QB Mitch Trubisky over Deshaun Watson. Now that that’s out of the way the Bears would actually be a great fit for Watson, bolstering one of the league’s better defenses led by star Khalil Mack but he would also have a top target in WR Allen Robinson, assuming he comes back, along with up-and-coming RB David Montgomery and TE Cole Kmet. GM Ryan Pace and HC Matt Nagy are on the hot seat after a subpar season which means they need to find out the QB situation this season or else they are likely gone. This type of trade would do that and likely save their jobs for the foreseeable future.